RIVM has developed an approach which allows human health risks of
vegetable consumption from contaminated sites to be assessed. A tiered
approach was used to guarantee the scientific basis and efficient use in
practice. The underlying principle is: simple when possible and complex
when necessary. If the risk can be eliminated in an early step, the
assessment can be stopped. If not, assessment continues in the next
tier, becoming more site-specific with each tier. This results in a more
realistic, but also more time-consuming, assessment. The approach
consists of four tiers that are laid out as follows. Tier 0, which
precedes the calculation and measurement tiers, investigates the
possibilities for experiencing adverse human health effects due to
vegetable consumption. Subsequently, the soil concentrations of
pollutants are measured in Tier 1 and compared with so-called Critical
soil concentrations (for which vegetable consumption from contaminated
sites is safe). Tier 2 offers the possibility for a detailed assessment
of the site-specific risks for human health on the basis of calculation.
Finally, Tier 3 shows a standardized measurement protocol. This protocol
offers guidance and advice on the type and amount of crops that can be
sampled in the field, thereby providing an indication for human health
risks.

RIVM has developed an approach which allows human health risks of
vegetable consumption from contaminated sites to be assessed. A tiered
approach was used to guarantee the scientific basis and efficient use in
practice. The underlying principle is: simple when possible and complex
when necessary. If the risk can be eliminated in an early step, the
assessment can be stopped. If not, assessment continues in the next
tier, becoming more site-specific with each tier. This results in a more
realistic, but also more time-consuming, assessment. The approach
consists of four tiers that are laid out as follows. Tier 0, which
precedes the calculation and measurement tiers, investigates the
possibilities for experiencing adverse human health effects due to
vegetable consumption. Subsequently, the soil concentrations of
pollutants are measured in Tier 1 and compared with so-called Critical
soil concentrations (for which vegetable consumption from contaminated
sites is safe). Tier 2 offers the possibility for a detailed assessment
of the site-specific risks for human health on the basis of calculation.
Finally, Tier 3 shows a standardized measurement protocol. This protocol
offers guidance and advice on the type and amount of crops that can be
sampled in the field, thereby providing an indication for human health
risks.